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(No Model.) I I EXPLOSIVE SHELL.

'No. 555,774. I Patented Mal a 33333 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEFFICE.

ELIAS M. JOHNSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EXPLOSIVE SHELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 555,774, dated March 3, 1896. Application filed December 7, 1895. Serial No. 571,371. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ELIAS M. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive Shells and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it .appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification.

In the accompanying drawing the figure represents a central longitudinal sectional View of a shell constructed in accordance with my invention.

In the said drawing the reference-numeral l designates the head or penetrating portion of the shell formed with a conoidal point 2. The rear end of this head is formed with a central screw-threaded recess with which ongages the corrcspondingly-thrcaded hub 3 of the rear section 4. This rear section is preferably made of a tougher and softer metal than thchcad,and gaskets or washers 5 may be interposed between it and the head. Formed in this rear section is a bursting or explosion chamber 6, which contains the charge and maybe provided with a charge-opening closed by means of a plug 7. A hole 8 is formed in this plug to receive a fuse.

If the head of a shell constructed in accordance with my invention should become cracked by striking an armor-plate or other object, it would not afiect the explosion, as the said cracks would not communicate with thebursting-chamber, as is the case in the ordinary shells where the walls of the burstin g-chamber are practically a part of the penetrating portion of the shell. In case the said rear section should become detached orbrokenoff from the head it would not be rendered useless, as it is complete in itself and could be exploded without being secured to the head.

-I do not limit myself to the particular manner of connecting the head and rear portion,

as other means could be employed for such purpose without departing from the invention.

The plug 7 may be dispensedwith, if desired, and the fuse-opening be made in either end of the rear section, which opening may also be used for inserting the charge.

The gasket or washer is made of copper, leather, or other suitable material and serves to take up the sudden shock caused by the projectile striking a hard substance and thus prevent the rear section from cracking.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As an improved article, an explosive shell, comprising the solid pointed head, and the separable rear portion attached thereto having a bursting-chamber formed therein, completely inclosed by the walls thereof, and provided with a fuse-opening.

2. As an improved article, an explosive shell, comprising the solid pointed head, havin ga screw-threaded recess in its rear, and the separable rear portion formed with a screwthreadcd hub engaging with said recess, and a bursting-chamber completely inclosed by the walls of said section and provided witha fuse-opening, substantially as described.-

3. In an explosive shell, the combination with the-solid pointed head, havinga screwthreaded recess in its rear, of the separable rear section having a screw-threaded hub engaging with said recess, a bursting-chamber completely inclosed by the walls of said section and a fuse-opening, and the yielding gaskets interposed between said head and section, substantially as described.

4.. As an improved article, an explosive shell, comprising the solid pointed head of hard metal, and the separable rear section of a softer and tougher metal attached thereto, and formed with a bursting-chamber com pletely inclosed by the walls thereof, and provided with a fuse-opening, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIAS M. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

ISAAC I JOHNSON, MELVIN O. HASCALL. 

